Combination external vehicle antenna housing and installation method

ABSTRACT

An antenna housing facilitates retrofitting a repeater/router and/or an LTE antenna on a vehicle. The combination antenna housing comprises a housing including a base adapted to be assembled to the vehicle, an intermediate portion, and an upper antenna enclosure portion for a radio and television antenna. A method for providing a vehicle with one or more communication links includes the steps of first assembling a plurality of cables within a wall of the vehicle that extend from inside the vehicle to a location on a roof of the vehicle. A radio and television antenna is attached to one or more of the cables within the combination antenna housing. An extra cable is secured inside the housing without electrically connecting the extra cable to another device until after assembly of the vehicle is completed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference to RelatedApplications

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/847,373filed Apr. 13, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,944,159 issued Mar. 9, 2021,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/943,054 filedApr. 2, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,622,709 issued Apr. 14, 2020, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/480,969filed Apr. 3, 2017, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated intheir entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to external vehicle antenna housings and amethod of installing antennas on recreation vehicles, trailers, boats,and trucks having sleeper compartments.

BACKGROUND

Recreation vehicles, trailers, boats, trucks having sleeper compartmentsare provided with radio and television antennas that receive broadcastsignals. The antennas may be mounted on the roof or other exteriorlocation on the vehicle to improve signal reception. Radio andtelevision antennas may be enclosed in an antenna housing. Due to windresistance, the intermediate mast may be designed to have a narrowcross-section. The top portion of the antenna housing may be anaerodynamically shaped circular housing, a square housing, a wing-shapedhousing, or the like.

Wireless routers provide Internet transmissions over a local areanetwork (LAN) that frequently follow a standard known as WiFi.Campgrounds and truck stops may provide LAN routers as a service forcustomers. Available LAN systems have limited range and the walls of avehicle substantially reduce the effective range for LAN transmissionsthat are normally designed to be indoor devices used to connectcomputers and other internet connected devices.

Long-Term Evolution (LTE) refers to a standard for using high-speedwireless communications for mobile devices and data terminals based uponGlobal Systems for Mobile Communications/Enhanced Data Rates for GSM(GSM/EDGE) and Universal Mobile Telecommunication System/High SpeedPacket Rate (UMTS/HSPA) technologies. Generally, LTE increases capacityand speed of wireless communication for mobile devices.

LTE systems use a different radio interface that are combined with corenetwork improvements made in the fourth generation (4G) cellularnetworks for data speed improvements. LTE systems are used to improvecellular communications where cell reception is limited. LTE systemsinclude an antenna that may be mounted on the roof of a vehicle forbetter signal reception and are connected to a booster inside thevehicle that amplifies the signal. However, attaching a separate LTEantenna, LAN antenna, radio antenna and television antenna on a vehicleis undesirable because each installed antenna may require a separatemount, requires additional labor, increases wind resistance, creates apotential water leak path, and is visually objectionable.

Vehicle manufacturers attach and connect cables to radio and televisionantennas mounted on the vehicle at a factory when the walls and ceilingare accessible because nearly all vehicles are provided with a radio anda television. LAN and LTE devices are not pre-installed because theadded cost of the antennas or LAN router or LTE booster is not warrantedif the customer does not require LAN or LTE reception. But for customerswho want improved reception, adding LAN and LTE antennas after thevehicle is manufactured increase costs due to the need to disassemblewalls and ceiling panels to run wiring or cables from a wall receptacleto the roof mounted antennas.

When cables are routed through the roof or walls of a vehicle, generallya hole is cut in the roof or wall and the cable is pulled through thehole into a base of the antenna mount. Caulking or on another type ofsealant is applied around the base. If there are any gaps in thecaulking or a crack develops in the caulking, water may leak into thehole in the roof or wall and may cause interior damage.

This disclosure is directed to solving the above problems and otherproblems as summarized below.

SUMMARY

The disclosed method and apparatus solve the above problems by providinga combination antenna housing as original equipment on a vehicle thatincludes a detachably connected intermediate housing portion thatfacilitates retrofitting a router/repeater including an antenna and/oran LTE antenna into the combination antenna housing. The detachablyconnected intermediate housing portion may be attached with threadedfasteners, connected by a hinge, threaded connection, bayonet mount, orthe like. As used herein, the terms “detachably connect” or “detachablyconnected” should be construed to mean to be connected in such a way asto be partially or fully separable and includes alternative arrangementsto the disclosed fasteners such as a hinge, mating threaded portions, abayonet mount, latches, or the like that permit accessing the interiorof the housing to install an antenna or a repeater/router.

According to one aspect of this disclosure, a combination antennaapparatus is disclosed that is assembled to a roof or other exteriorlocation on a vehicle. The combination antenna housing comprises a baseadapted to be attached to the roof or another exterior location on thevehicle, a housing detachably connected to the base that defines anenclosed space, a seat, or a receptacle, for a repeater/router includinga LAN antenna (hereinafter referred to as a “repeater/router”). The basedefines an area adapted to securely receive the repeater/router withinthe enclosed space.

The repeater/router may be adapted to communicate wirelessly or througha cable with a second rebroadcasting repeater/router (hereinafterreferred to as a “rebroadcaster”) inside the vehicle. Therepeater/router may communicate with the rebroadcaster, for example, bysharing the 2.4 gHz frequency that is used for connecting with the host.Alternatively, a passive antenna may be installed within the enclosedspace to provide enhanced reception to LAN enabled devices inside thevehicle. The passive antenna may include an outer portion in closeproximity to the repeater/router to pick up signals from therepeater/router and transfer the signals picked up from therepeater/router to an inside portion of the passive antenna. A radioantenna and a television antenna may also be enclosed within thehousing.

The base may include an outer flange adapted to be attached to thevehicle with fasteners, either directly or with a bracket, and a raisedring inside the outer flange. The raised ring may define a cavity insidethe raised ring and also may inhibit any water from entering the cavity.The cavity may be cup-shaped and may also define a pocket or receptaclefor receiving the repeater/router and securing the repeater/routerinside the enclosed space. A conduit may be provided that may extend asmuch as several inches above the cavity and the raised ring and into theenclosed space. Cables are routed through the opening in the conduitthat is spaced above the roof or other mounting surface and then isconnected to the repeater/router and at least one antenna. Thecombination antenna apparatus may further comprise an O-ring or othertype of seal that is assembled to the raised ring that establishes aseal around the cavity.

The housing may include a lower surface that includes a rib that engagesthe O-ring or seal when the housing is attached to the base. The ribengages the O-ring or seal when the housing is attached to the base. Aplurality of fasteners may be inserted into a plurality of internallythreaded receptacles secured to the base to detachably connect theintermediate housing to the base. Seals may also be provided around thefasteners.

The repeater/router may be enclosed within the interior space, and therebroadcaster may be disposed inside the vehicle and may be wirelesslyconnected to the LAN antenna. Alternatively, the repeater/router may beenclosed within the interior space, and the rebroadcaster may bedisposed inside the vehicle and may be connected by a cable, for examplean ethernet cable, to the repeater/router.

The combination antenna apparatus may further comprise an LTE antennasecured within the intermediate housing and connected through a cable toan LTE booster disposed inside the vehicle. LTE as referred to in thisapplication should be construed to comprise cellular data and voicecommunication systems.

The combination antenna apparatus may further comprise a wiring conduitthat extends through the base and into the intermediate housing in anelevated relationship to the base, wherein cables are routed through thewiring conduit from inside the vehicle for connection to a plurality ofantennas inside the housing. The LTE antenna may be attached to the roofby securing the LTE antenna to the wiring conduit.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method is disclosedfor providing a vehicle with one or more communication links. The methodincludes the steps of first assembling a plurality of cables or wireswithin a wall of the vehicle that extend from inside the vehicle to anexterior location on the vehicle. Next, an antenna is attached to one ofthe cables and the antenna is provided within a housing assembled to thevehicle. A second one of the cables is secured inside the housingwithout electrically connecting the second cable to another apparatusafter which assembly of the vehicle is completed.

The plurality of cables may be of different types. For example, acoaxial cable may be provided for a television, another coaxial cablemay be provided for an AM/FM radio, an ethernet cable may be providedfor LAN signals, and a power wire may be provided to provide power to arepeater/router. The ethernet cable may include a power over ethernet(POE) wire instead of using a separate power wire.

The housing may have at least two portions and the method may furthercomprise opening the housing by fully or partially separating the atleast two portions of the housing after completing assembly of thevehicle. A repeater/router may be assembled inside the housing and thesecond one of the cables may be attached to the repeater/router. Arebroadcaster may be provided that is operatively connected to therepeater/router by, for example an ethernet cable or by a wireless link.

The rebroadcaster may be disposed within the vehicle or within thehousing.

A third cable may be connected to an LTE antenna after the housing isopened and after completing assembly of the vehicle. The third cable maybe connected between the LTE antenna and an LTE booster.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a LAN system isdisclosed for vehicles such as recreational vehicles, trailer, boats,and sleeper cabs. The LAN system comprises an access point router thatsends and receives LAN signals. A housing is provided that is adapted tobe attached to a vehicle, either directly or with a bracket, that housesa television antenna, a radio antenna, and a repeater/router that sendsand receives LAN signals between the access point and therepeater/router. The housing includes a base attached to the vehicle andan enclosure portion that is detachably connected to the base. A LANenabled device may be used to send and receive LAN signals between theLAN enabled device and the access point, or send and receive secondaryLAN signals between the LAN enabled device and the repeater/routerdisposed in the housing or the rebroadcaster inside the vehicle.

According to other aspects of the LAN system, the system may furthercomprise a rebroadcaster disposed inside the vehicle that is adapted tosend and receive secondary LAN signals from the repeater/router in thehousing. The LAN enabled device is adapted to communicate with therebroadcaster.

The secondary LAN signals from the repeater/router in the housing may betransmitted through a cable extending between the receiver/router andthe rebroadcaster.

The cable may be installed in the vehicle when the vehicle is assembled,and the enclosure portion may be removed from the base to install therepeater/router on the base as a retrofit with the enclosure portionbeing reattached to the base after the repeater/router is installed.

A passive antenna may be provided that includes an outer portiondisposed inside the combination antenna housing and an inner portiondisposed inside the vehicle. The outer portion of the passive antenna isplaced close to the antennas of the repeater/router to capturebleed-over EMF that is passively transmitted through the passive antennato the inner portion inside the vehicle. LAN enabled devices inside thevehicle can then link to the repeater/router through the passiveantenna. The passive antenna provides sufficient signal quality fordevise such as laptops, phones, tablets, and the like to function withimproved range even if a rebroadcaster is not provided inside thevehicle.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a long-term evolution(LTE) system is provided that comprises a cellular system that sends andreceives mobile phone/cell phone data signals. A housing is adapted tobe attached to a vehicle that encloses a television antenna, a radioantenna, and an LTE antenna for receiving mobile phone/cell phone datasignals. The housing includes a base attached to the vehicle and anenclosure portion that is detachably connected to the base. A mobilephone/cell phone data signal booster is disposed inside the vehicle andconnected to the LTE antenna. The mobile phone/cell phone data signalbooster is adapted to send and receive secondary mobile phone/cell phonedata signals between the mobile phone signal/cell phone data signalbooster and a cell phone.

The above aspects of this disclosure and other aspects will be describedbelow with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a recreational vehicle including a LANsystem made in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a combination antenna apparatus made inaccordance with one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the combination antennaapparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base portion of the antenna housingwith a repeater/router an LTE antenna and a passive LAN antenna.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a base portion of the antenna housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to thedrawings. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare intended to be merely examples that may be embodied in various andalternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. The specific structural and functional details disclosed arenot to be interpreted as limiting, but as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art how to practice the disclosed concepts.

Referring to FIG. 1, a recreation vehicle 10 is shown that is withinrange of a base station 12 through an access point router 14. Local AreaNetwork (LAN) signals 16 are transmitted between the access point router14 and the recreation vehicle 10. While a recreation vehicle isillustrated in FIG. 1, this disclosure is also applicable to trucksleeper cabins, boats, or camping trailers.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the recreation vehicle 10 includes a roof 18upon which a combination antenna apparatus generally indicated byreference numeral 20 is mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, thecombination antenna apparatus 20 is mounted directly on the roof but itshould be understood that the apparatus could be mounted on a bracketattached to the roof or at another exterior location on the vehicle. Thecombination antenna apparatus 20 includes a housing 22 that encloses aplurality of antennas as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The housing 22 includesa base 24, an intermediate portion 26, and a top portion 28. Atelevision antenna 29 a and a radio antenna 29 b is provided in the topportion 28 of the housing 22 and is connected by a cable 27 a and 27 b,respectively, wiring or cables to a television 31 a and radio 31 binside the recreational vehicle 10. The intermediate portion 26 and topportion 28 are separable in the illustrated embodiment but may also becombined into a single part. The base 24 is adapted to be attached tothe roof 18 of the recreation vehicle 10 with fasteners and is caulkedor otherwise sealed to prevent any water from leaking into therecreation vehicle 10 from around the base 24.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the intermediate portion 26 of the housing22 is separated from the base 24 to illustrate the base 24 with arepeater/router 30 seated on the base 24. A pair of repeater/routerantennas 32 are part of the exterior repeater/router antenna 32 andfunction to send and receive LAN signals 16 to and from the access pointrouter 14. The intermediate portion 26 is configured to cooperativelyengage the base 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediateportion 26 is detachably connected by four bolts to the base 24. Othertypes of detachable connectors such as a hinge, cooperating threadedportions, a bayonet connector, or the like are to be understood todetachably connect the intermediate housing to the base. The detachableconnectors may be used to provide access for installing antennas or arepeater/router 30 in the enclosed space above the base 24 inside theintermediate housing 26.

The recreation vehicle has walls 34 (shown in FIG. 1) that blockreception of LAN signals from the access point router 14. Thecombination antenna apparatus 20 mounted on the roof 18 or on anotherexterior location on the vehicle is better positioned to send andreceive LAN signals 16 from the access point router 14. Therepeater/router 30 repeats or retransmits the LAN signals 16 wirelesslyto rebroadcaster 36 inside the vehicle 10. Alternatively, therebroadcaster 36 may be connected by a cable 38, such as a ethernetcable, through the walls 34 or roof 18 to the exterior repeater/router30. A power supply 39 may be connected by a power supply wire 40 for theexterior repeater/router 30. The power supply wire 40 may be a separatewire or may be a power over ethernet cable (COE). The wire 40 or cableis installed inside the walls 34 and roof 18 of the of the recreationvehicle 10 along with other wires or cables (not shown) when therecreation vehicle is built in the factory prior to when the inner wallpanels are installed.

According to the method disclosed, coaxial cables for an entertainmentsystem 31 a and 31 b including a television and/or radio are normallyinstalled when the recreation vehicle is assembled at the factorybecause they are almost universally required by purchasers. Internet andLTE services are less frequently required and are normally installed asaftermarket equipment. However, this disclosure solves the problemsrelating to retrofitting repeater/routers and LTE antennas on vehiclesafter manufacturing by preinstalling the wires or cables 38, 40 in thewalls 34 and roof 18 and securing the outside ends thereof to theantenna housing 22. If an exterior router/repeater 30 and/or or an LTEantenna 48 are desired by the purchaser, they may be easily installed byopening the housing 22, attaching the devices, and closing the housing22 to re-establish an effective seal between the intermediate portion 26and the base 24.

A LAN enabled device 46 (shown in FIG. 1) may connect to the accesspoint router 14 through the rebroadcaster 36, a passive LAN antenna 48,or the exterior repeater/router 30. The passive LAN antenna 48 includesan inner portion 50 that extends into the recreation vehicle. An outerportion 52 of the passive LAN antenna 48 is disposed outside the vehicleand is passively connected to the repeater/router 30. The recreationvehicle 10 may have interior walls 54 through which LAN signals 16 maybe retransmitted by the rebroadcaster 36, a passive LAN antenna 48, orthe exterior repeater/router 30 and received by the LAN enabled device46.

An LTE antenna 56 may be provided inside the housing 22 to improve cellphone communications in areas where cell phone signals are weak andreception is not reliable. The LTE antenna 56 may be attached to areceptacle in the base 24 or may be attached with a zip-tie to part ofthe housing 22. The LTE antenna is connected by a cable 61 to a booster57 mounted inside the vehicle 10 to boost the signal that is transmittedthrough an inside antenna as a mobile phone or cell phone data signal.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the base 24 includes a repeater/routerreceptacle 62. The receptacle 62 may be a cavity defined by the base 24and intermediate housing 26 that is adapted to receive a repeater/router30 or may alternatively be an area, seat, or receptacle for arepeater/router 30. The repeater/router 30 or antenna may be secured bya zip tie, screws, or other types of fasteners to the base 24 that arecapable of securely holding the device 30 within the combination antennaapparatus 20. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a rectangular receptacle 62 isintegrally formed in the base 24 with sides that are configured torestrain movement of the repeater/router 30. Bosses 63 may be integrallymolded, or otherwise provided on the base 24 for receiving screws. Therepeater/router 30 may be securely fastened to the base 24 by attachmentbosses 63. Router antenna receptacles 64 may also be provided to furthersecure the repeater/router 30 to the base 24.

The base 24 is constructed to prevent water leakage into the housing 22.The base 24 includes a central portion 66 that may receive therepeater/router 30 and/or the LTE antenna 56 that are installed afterthe vehicle 10 is assembled. A raised inner ring 68 extends around thecentral portion 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring 68 iscircular but may also be provided in a different shape. The ring 68 iscontinuous to inhibit any water that could possibly seep between thebase 24 and the intermediate portion 26 from reaching the centralportion 66 where it could damage the repeater/router 30.

A base mounting flange 70 extends outwardly from the raised inner ring68 and defines a plurality of fastener holes 72. A conduit 74 isprovided in the central portion 66 that extends from the base 24 andinto the intermediate portion 26 of the housing 22. The conduit 74 maybe up to several inches in height and is intended to function to preventwater from flowing over the base 24 and entering the opening in the base24 where the wires or cables 38, 40 enter the housing 22. Anintermediate housing flange 76 extends outwardly from the intermediateportion 26 of the housing 22 and is substantially parallel to the basemounting flange 70. The intermediate housing flange 76 defines aplurality of fastener receiving holes 78 corresponding to the locationof the fastener holes 88 defined by the raised ring 68.

An O-ring seal 82 is fitted into an O-ring channel 84 defined by twoupstanding, flanges that extend toward the intermediate housing flange76. A rib 86 is provided on the intermediate housing flange 76 to engagethe O-ring seal 82 when the intermediate housing 26 is secured to thebase 24. The O-ring seal 82 is compressed by the rib 86 inside theO-ring channel 84 to tightly seal the intermediate portion 26 to thebase 24.

A plurality of fastener seals 88 are provided within the fastener holes78 that cooperate with a corresponding plurality of small circular ribs90 that are oriented to form a seal around the fasteners that are usedto secure the intermediate portion 26 to the base 24. The fastener seals88 prevent water from leaking into the area below the base 24. Thefastener seals 88 may be co-molded with the base or otherwise assembledin to the fastener holes 78.

The method of providing a vehicle 10 with one or more communicationantennas for an entertainment system, internet repeater/router, and/orLTE antenna and booster comprises a first step of assembling a pluralityof cables or wires (e.g. 27 a, 27 b, 38, 40) within a wall 34 of thevehicle that extend from inside the vehicle 10 to the combinationantenna apparatus 20 on a roof 18 or other exterior location on thevehicle 10. A first antenna for television or radio signals is attachedto a first one of the cables and is provided within a housing assembledto the roof of the vehicle. An “extra” or second one of the cables orwires is secured inside the housing 22 without electrically connectingthe second one of the cables to another apparatus in the housing 22 andsubsequently completing assembly of the vehicle 10. Additional “extra”cables may be run to the housing 22 and left unconnected.

The housing 22 may have at least two portions, and the method mayinclude the additional steps of opening the housing 22 by partially orfully separating the intermediate portion 26 from the base 24 of thehousing 22 after completing assembly of the vehicle 10. Next, arepeater/router 30 is assembled inside the housing 22 and the second oneof the cables, such as a power wire and/or signal cable, is assembled tothe repeater/router 30 to provide power to the repeater/router 30. Therebroadcaster 36 disposed in the vehicle may be operatively connected tothe repeater/router 30 by a wireless or wired connection.

At least one or more “extra” wires or cables may be connected to thehousing before completing assembly of the vehicle. For example, a thirdcable may be provided that can later be connected between a LTE antennaand an LTE booster. The third cable is connected to the LTE antennaafter the housing is opened and after completing assembly of the vehicle10. The LTE booster is installed inside the vehicle and is connected bythe cable to the LTE antenna. The LTE booster receives mobile phonesignal or cell phone data signals from a cellular network and repeatsthe signal inside the vehicle by sending and receiving secondary mobilephone signals or cell phone data signals with a cellphone inside thevehicle.

The embodiments described above are specific examples that do notdescribe all possible forms of the disclosure. The features of theillustrated embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments ofthe disclosed concepts. The words used in the specification are words ofdescription rather than limitation. The scope of the following claims isbroader than the specifically disclosed embodiments and also includesmodifications of the illustrated embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A LAN system comprising: an access point router that sends and receives LAN signals; a housing adapted to be attached to a vehicle that encloses a television antenna, a radio antenna, and a repeater/router that sends and receives secondary LAN signals between the access point router and the repeater/router, the housing including a base attached to the vehicle and an enclosure portion that is detachably secured to the base; and a LAN enabled device being adapted to selectively— send and receive LAN signals between the LAN enabled device and the access point, or send and receive secondary LAN signals between the LAN enabled device and the repeater/router disposed in the housing.
 2. The LAN system of claim 1 further comprising: a rebroadcaster disposed inside the vehicle that is adapted to send and receive the secondary LAN signals from the repeater/router in the housing, and wherein the LAN enabled device is adapted to send and receive signals to and from the rebroadcaster.
 3. The LAN system of claim 2 wherein the secondary LAN signals from the repeater/router in the housing are transmitted through a cable extending between the repeater/router and the rebroadcaster.
 4. The LAN system of claim 2 wherein an extra cable is installed in the vehicle when the vehicle is assembled, and wherein the enclosure portion is at least partially removed from the base to install the repeater/router on the base as a retrofit with the enclosure portion being reattached to the base after the repeater/router is installed.
 5. The LAN system of claim 1 further comprising: a passive antenna including an outside portion disposed outside the vehicle and an inner portion disposed inside the vehicle, wherein the secondary LAN signals from the repeater/router in the housing are passively transmitted through the passive antenna between the repeater/router and the LAN enabled device.
 6. A long-term evolution (LTE) system comprising: a cellular system that sends and receives primary mobile phone/cell phone data signals; a housing adapted to be attached to a vehicle that encloses a television antenna, a radio antenna, and an LTE antenna for receiving primary mobile phone/cell phone data signals, the housing including a base attached to the vehicle and an enclosure portion that is detachably connected to the base; and a mobile phone/cell phone data signal booster disposed inside the vehicle and connected to the LTE antenna, wherein the mobile phone/cell phone data signal booster is adapted to send and receive secondary mobile phone signal/cell phone data signals between a cell phone and the mobile phone/cell phone data signal booster and a cell phone.
 7. A LAN system for receiving LAN signals from an access point router and transmitting LAN signals to the access point router, the LAN system comprising: a housing adapted to be attached to a vehicle that encloses a television antenna, a radio antenna, and a repeater/router, the repeater/router receives the LAN signals between the access point router and the repeater/router, the repeater/router transmits the LAN signals to the access point router, the housing includes a base attached to the vehicle and an enclosure portion that is detachably secured to the base; a rebroadcaster disposed inside the vehicle that is adapted to send and receive secondary LAN signals with the repeater/router in the housing, wherein the rebroadcaster sends and receives secondary LAN signals; and a LAN enabled device being adapted to selectively— send and receive LAN signals between the LAN enabled device and the access point, or send and receive secondary LAN signals between the LAN enabled device and the rebroadcaster.
 8. The LAN system of claim 7 wherein the secondary LAN signals from the repeater/router in the housing are transmitted through a cable extending between the repeater/router and the rebroadcaster.
 9. The LAN system of claim 7 wherein the secondary LAN signals from the repeater/router in the housing are transmitted through a wall of the vehicle between the repeater/router and the rebroadcaster.
 10. The LAN system of claim 7 further comprising: a passive antenna including an outside portion disposed outside the vehicle and inside the housing adjacent a second antenna connected to the repeater/router and an inner portion disposed inside the vehicle, wherein the secondary LAN signals from the repeater/router in the housing are passively transmitted through the passive antenna between the repeater/router and the LAN enabled device.
 11. A long-term evolution (LTE) system that communicates with a cellular system that sends and receives primary mobile phone/cell phone data signals, the LTE system comprising: a housing adapted to be attached to a vehicle that encloses a television antenna, a radio antenna, and an LTE antenna for receiving primary mobile phone/cell phone data signals, the housing including a base attached to the vehicle and an enclosure portion that is detachably connected to the base; and a mobile phone/cell phone data signal booster disposed inside the vehicle and connected to the LTE antenna, wherein the mobile phone/cell phone data signal booster is adapted to send and receive secondary mobile phone/cell phone data signals between a cell phone and the mobile phone/cell phone data signal booster. 